A slippery roundabout is the cause of many minor accidents

Washington State Patrol has reported more than 60 accidents this year on or near the Blue Bridge in the Tri-Cities. Many of those accidents happened at the roundabout on Highway 395 and Columbia Drive.

Troopers say the cause of the 64 accidents is a combination of things, but a sergeant from State Patrol today says the slick cement on the "figure-8" next to the Blue Bridge is the main culprit for minor accidents.

Sgt. Roger Wilbur says the Department of Transportation workers have made steps to fix the problem by creating ridges in the cement, so when it rains cars will have more traction.

"The southbound lanes in the area, because they're made of concrete, when they do get wet they get a little slippery," said Sgt. Wilbur.

The WSDOT Project Engineer, Moe Davari says more work is needed to reduce the accidents. "We're working with our maintenance office to see what we can do to minimize the amount of water when it's raining, the run off from the pavement to minimize that."

Devari also says the next step for construction workers will be to create a better drainage area on the figure eight to reduce the slick roadways for drivers. That work is expected to begin in May.